General Dragoljub Mihailovich distinguished himself as commander-in-chief of the Yugoslavian Army Forces and later as minister of war by organizing and leading important resistance forces against the enemy occupation of Yugoslavia from December 1941 to December 1944. Despite inadequate supplies and extreme hardships, his troops rescued many United States airmen and returned them safely to friendly control, including the unparalleled rescue of over 500 American airmen from capture during World War II. His leadership and the actions of his forces materially contributed to the Allied cause and were instrumental in achieving final Allied victory.